ABSTRACT

The application of water to the soil by surface irrigation method is common in most of the agrarian world. (Hensen et al, 1980). It involves the flooding of the fields whereby the water is allowed to enter the soil at the rate that depend on the soils water intake characteristics. Infiltrometer cylinder tests were carried out in Michael Okpara University Agriculture Umudike, Ujumba and Ezieke Udougu to determine the soils water intake characteristics obtained. Ezieke Udougu soils have the highest water intake rate of 282mm/hr Ujumba I 99mm/hr and Michael Okpara University Agriculture Umudike soil has the least value of I 98mm/hr The Michael Okpara University Agriculture Umudike soil have the lowest accumulated depth as 7.32mm, Ujumba 8.56mm and Ezieke Udougu 10.12mm. Finally, regression equation were derived for the estimation pf the water intake rates and accumulated depths of water for the three soil sits in Umudike. Using these equations the farmers in Umudike can predict the intake rates, intake depths and intake time during application processes.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page ....

Declaration ...

I

Certification ...

ii

iii

Dedication· ....

Acknowledgment...

Table of content ....

List of tables ....

List of figures ....

Abstract .

iv

V

vi

vii

viii

xi

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introduction ....

1.1 Statement of the problem ....

1.2 Objectives ....

1.2.1 General objectives of the study ....

1.2.2 Specific objectives of the study are

1.3 Justification ....

1

2

3

3

3

3

CHAPTER-TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Infiltration .... 5

2.2 Factors affecting the infiltration.... 7

2.3 Importance of water infiltration to the soils and crops .... 10

2.4 Movement of water into the soil.. ..

2.5 Moisture movement under saturated conditions ....

CHAPTER THREE

.... . 11

16

2.6 Movement of water under Unsaturated Condition.... 17

I

3.0 Methodology . . .. 19

3.1 Description of the Study Area/ Field infitlrometer Test .... 19

3.2 Field Experimental procedures.... 21

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Result .... 23

4.1 Discussion .... ... ' 24

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Conclusion ....

5.1 Recommendations ....

References

Appendix

27

28

vi

LIST OF TABLES

Table A: Ujumba.... 29

Table B: Ujumba . ... 30

Table C :Ujumba.... 31

Table D: Ujumba... 32

Table E: Ujumba... 33

Table A: Eziekc Udougu ... 34

Table B: Ezieke Udougu .. . 35

Table C: Eziekc Udougu . . . 36

Table D: Udougu... 37

Table E: Ezieke Udougu... 38

Table A: MOUAU .... 39

T

' able B: MOUAU ... 40

Table C: MOUAU... 41

Table D: MOUAU... 42

Table E: MOUAU ... ... ... .... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .... 43

Table F The equation derived for intake rates... ... ... ... ... ... .. 44

Table G The equation derived for accumulated depths... .... . .. 44

Table H Intake rate expression for the test plots......... .. 49

Table I Intake depth expression for the test plots... . .. .. . 50

vii

LIST OF FIGURE

Figure 1 Installation of infiltrometer for field test... ... ... ... ... 48

Figure 2 filling of infiltrometer with water for field test...... ... 48

Figure 3 taking reading of infiltration test at interval of 2 minutes ... 48